Soy Protein Isolate Suppresses Bone Resorption and Improves Trabecular Microarchitecture in Spontaneously Hyperphagic, Rapidly Growing Male OLETF Rats.

Background: Traditionally, milk proteins have been recommended for skeletal health; recently, soy proteins have emerged as popular alternatives. Excess adiposity appears detrimental to skeletal health, as obese adolescents have increased fracture rates compared with healthy controls. However, soy protein effects on skeletal health during excess adiposity remain unknown.

Objective: The study objective was to examine the effects of isocaloric diets containing milk protein isolate (MPI), soy protein isolate (SPI), or a 50/50 combination (MIX) as the sole protein source on metabolic health indicators and bone outcomes in rapidly growing, hyperphagic, male Otsuka Long Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rats.

Methods: OLETF rats, aged 4 wk, were randomly assigned to 3 treatment groups (MPI, SPI, or MIX,  = 20 per group) and provided with access to experimental diets ad libitum for 16 wk.

Results: Body mass did not differ between the groups, but SPI had lower percentage body fat than MPI ( = 0.026). Insulin was lower in MPI than in MIX ( = 0.033) or SPI ( = 0.044), but fasting blood glucose was not different between the groups. SPI significantly reduced serum cholesterol compared with MPI ( = 0.001) and MIX ( = 0.002). N-terminal propeptide of type I collagen (P1NP) was higher in MIX than MPI ( = 0.05); C-terminal telopeptide of type 1 collagen (CTx) was higher in MPI than SPI ( < 0.001) and MIX ( < 0.001); the P1NP to CTx ratio was significantly higher in SPI and MIX than in MPI ( < 0.001). Trabecular separation was reduced in SPI compared with MPI ( = 0.030) and MIX ( = 0.008); trabecular number was increased in SPI compared with MIX ( = 0.038). No differences were seen in cortical geometry and biomechanical properties.

Conclusions: In the context of excess adiposity, soy- and milk-based proteins have comparable effects on cortical bone geometry and biomechanical properties, whereas soy-based proteins favorably affect the trabecular microarchitecture, and the combination of both proteins may offer additional benefits to bone remodeling in rapidly growing male OLETF rats.